Being a stay-at-home mom is a tough job, but one Reddit user is facing criticism for her cleaning methods. Despite repeatedly asking her family to help keep the house clean, the mess has become overwhelming. When her mother-in-law paid a surprise visit, she was less than impressed with the state of the house and threatened to call CPS.
The mom is now questioning whether she’s in the wrong. Read on to find out more about this messy situation and share your thoughts.
Juggling 4 kids and cleaning? Share your tips!

Overwhelmed stay-at-home mom defends family’s pandemic living situation.

When staying at home becomes synonymous with laziness

Frustrated mom struggles to keep house clean despite family’s apathy

Shared responsibility for cleaning causing controversy in household

Family learns to clean up after stay-at-home mom’s tough love

When surprise visits go wrong

Stay-at-home mom receives backlash for letting family live in ‘filth’

Stay-at-home mom takes charge of dirty family, faces backlash
Being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job, and this particular mom is doing it with four kids during a pandemic. But when her family starts slacking off on their chores and leaving the house a mess, she takes a tough love approach. After giving everyone a chance to clean up their act, her mother-in-law pays a surprise visit and shames her for the state of the house.
Feeling like she’s doing her job and her husband’s and mother-in-law’s, she stands her ground but wonders if she’s gone too far in this situation . Join the debate in the comments below.
NTA, stand your ground and enforce a standard of living

Husband needs to step up and be a good role model
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NTA for setting boundaries with MIL after CPS threat

Partner’s lack of skills causes tension in household chores

Don’t let anyone guilt you for teaching responsibility

SAH mom’s struggle with messy family and unappreciated workload.

Childfree woman defends stay-at-home mom’s worth beyond household chores

Stay-at-home mom stands her ground against unfair expectations

Teaching responsibilities, NTA. MIL is the a**hole

Mom’s not a slave, husband’s helping out now.

Spouse needs to step up and MIL needs to apologize

Defending CPS accusations, parent praises natural consequences and effective parenting. NTA
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Clean home, happy home! ✨

Pitching in around the house: even littles can help!

Don’t take anybody out, just hang in there

Messy house or CPS level? INFO comment offers helpful advice ⚠️

NTA. A genius trick to keep the house clean and organized!

Struggling with a messy house? Try the basket method

Teaching responsibility is key. Cut out allowances and devices.

Keeping a messy house can be hazardous for young children

Teaching household hygiene: NTA comment wins approval

SAHM shares her experience and self-care tips for mental health

Don’t be a clean-freak, appreciate her efforts!

Encourage children to do household chores and earn rewards.

A top-shelf advice on disciplining kids

Proud of not explaining their parenting choices

Supportive comment applauds OP and offers solutions with relatable quote

Support for mom who stood up to messy family

Clean house or good parent? Can’t do both ♀️

Creative tips for motivating kids to clean up without yelling

When dishes pile up, creativity kicks in. NTA wins!

Children exempt, spouse needs to clean: stay-at-home mom’s NTA verdict

Setting boundaries with in-laws over cleanliness

Sassy reply to stay-at-home mom’s in-law shaming.

Teaching household chores by going on strike

Mom praised for keeping calm and teaching kids responsibility

Defending parenting choices amidst threats of child removal.

Mom defends her parenting, declares NTA in the face of criticism

Mom defends herself against criticism for messy house. ♀️

Teaching kids natural consequences is part of parenting

Stay-at-home mom receives support for living in “filth” during lockdown.
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SAHP’s job is to parent, not be a maid

Cheering for the epic and true response. #NTA

Teaching to pick up after themselves – NTA comment wins

Teaching basic life skills: NTA and important for everyone

Defending against MIL’s threat to call CPS with fiery response

Stay-at-home mom not to blame for messy house: NTA

Defending a stay-at-home mom against harsh criticism

Husband’s chore responsibilities causing family tension, MIL meddling.

Letting kids learn responsibility > pleasing judgmental guests. NTA

Mom threatens to cut off contact if CPS called

Parenting responsibilities discussed amidst family living in filth. YTA.

Commenter predicts MIL involvement in messy family drama
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Struggling stay-at-home mom relates to messy household frustrations

Cutting off toxic family members: or ?

Husband’s apology: a win for stay-at-home mom. NTA

Supportive comment suggests seeking help on MIL subreddit

Cleanliness begins at home. NTA for not sweeping neighbors’ mess.

Mom isn’t the a****e, but is husband’s parenting enough?

Don’t mess with mama bear! NTA standing up to MIL’s CPS threat.

Setting boundaries with toxic family members? Good for you!

Last Updated on April 2, 2023 by Chifundo